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A smiling elderly woman in glasses sits with a sleeping red-gold Golden Retriever curled across her lap and a newspaper. 26 / 36

Grandma Odessa Opened the Paper. Copper Opened His Own Plans for Her Lap.

AI imagegolden retrieverlap dogmorning paper

Grandma Odessa has not turned a page in a while, and she does not seem to mind. Copper is curled right across her lap in a long, loose comma shape, his russet fur glowing in the warm lamp light, one ear draped over her arm and his chin resting on the knitted blanket. She looks over her glasses with a soft smile in her gray cardigan and a green shirt, not moving a muscle. A mug, a set of keys and folded linens sit behind her, and the edge of the newspaper curls at the bottom of the frame.

A large dog on a lap is a heavy gift, and Golden Retrievers seem to forget their size when they want closeness. They are known to be affectionate, people-loving companions, and many enjoy physical contact. The warmth and weight of a sleeping pet can be soothing, and many older adults enjoy the daily routine a dog provides. Make sure the person is comfortable, and give your dog a safe way to hop down, since big dogs jumping off a lap can cause a scrape or pinch. Dogs who sleep a lot are normal, but if you notice stiffness or limping when your dog gets up, mention it to your vet.

The news can wait. This particular lap is closed to everything but one sleeping retriever, and Grandma Odessa has a very good excuse.

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An elderly woman in a cream cardigan sits by a crackling fireplace under a quilt while a smiling Golden Retriever leans in.Grandma Odessa Pulled the Patchwork Quilt Over Her Lap. Copper Leaned Right In.An elderly woman in an olive hoodie sips from a ceramic mug on weathered steps beside a chocolate-colored Golden Retriever.Grandma Odessa Took Her Coffee Outside. Copper Was Already Waiting on the Steps.
An elderly woman in a gray sweatshirt hammers a fence board as a red-gold Golden Retriever holds a long stick.Grandma Odessa Fixed the Old Fence. Copper Brought His Own Lumber.An elderly woman in a green cardigan picks an apple from a branch while a Golden Retriever sniffs fallen apples.Grandma Odessa Picked the Perfect Apple. Copper Inspected All the Ones on the Ground.An elderly woman in a green cardigan holds the raised paw of a seated red-gold Golden Retriever on a patterned rug.Grandma Odessa Offered Her Hand. Copper Offered Something Better.An elderly woman in a green cardigan sits with bare feet in the water on a dock beside a red-gold Golden Retriever.Grandma Odessa Dipped Her Toes in the Pond. Copper Stayed Right Beside Her.